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Bruins' Gregory Campbell finds himself in unusual spotlight

June 1, 2011 | 2:47
pm

Much of the talk at the Bruins’ media session Wednesday centered on forward Gregory Campbell, whose father, Colin Campbell, has relinquished his role as the NHL's chief disciplinarian. The elder Campbell will remain a senior vice president of hockey operations but is expected to hand the task of deciding suspensions and fines to Brendan Shanahan, a former NHL player who is the NHL's vice president for hockey and business operations.

Colin Campbell has recused himself from ruling on matters in this series. Mike Murphy and Kris King, members of his staff, will handle disciplinary matters.

Gregory Campbell wasn't made available for interviews before the game, but his teammates said he has always kept his team and family concerns separate.

"I think it will be easy for him. Greg and his father, to me it seems like they separate their business and personal relationship very well," forward Daniel Paille said. "We see it amongst ourselves.

"I think the league does the right thing. When situations happen with our team, Mr. Campbell doesn't handle it. I think the league does it well."

Paille said Gregory was aware he would face charges of favoritism because of his father’s job. Those charges were rekindled when a blogger last year uncovered a series of scathing emails from Colin Campbell to Stephen Walkom, then the NHL's director of officiating, hinting at favorable treatment for his son.

By an interesting coincidence, Walkom is one of the referees for Wednesday’s Stanley Cup finals opener between the Bruins and Vancouver Canucks.

"I don’t think he lets it bother him," Paille said of his teammate. "I think he's played so many years now that he doesn’t let it bother him anymore and just enjoys the game."